Antidiabetic activities of leaves and root extracts of Justicia adhatoda Linn against alloxan induced diabetes in rats

Abstract

Justicia adhatoda Linn is a medicinal shrub and its leaves and roots have being used against diabetes in North East of Pakistan years ago. The effects of leaves and roots of J. adhatoda was studied in alloxan induced diabetic animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of leaves and root extracts of the plant on blood glucose and other parameters associated with diabetes. Oral administration of 50 and 100 mg/kg of ethanolic extracts of Justicia leaves to normal and experimental diabetic rats produced a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in blood glucose levels from 2 to 6 days of treatment as compared to the root extract of J. adhatoda (100 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). Significant effects were also observed on the glucose tolerance, glycosylated haemoglobin, serum lipid profiles and body weight of experimental animals.   Key words: Justicia adhatoda L, traditional medicine, animal model, anti diabetic.